1
as in fight
a forceful effort to reach a goal or objective
passing the medical licensing exam was an uphill battle, but she succeeded
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in skirmish
a physical dispute between opposing individuals or groups
a battle between rival gangs left two people lying dead on the street
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in field
active fighting during the course of a war
soldiers who desperately wanted to forget the horrors that they had witnessed in battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the chess game was a real battle between two of the world's best players
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in to fight
to oppose (someone) in physical conflict
the two armies battled each other for control of the bridge
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to oppose
to strive to reduce or eliminate
we must battle hunger and poverty wherever they exist
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of battle
Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The agency is at the forefront of Israel’s battle against Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Multiple engine and ladder companies worked in brutal temperatures to battle the fire.
—Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Noun
Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams is in Santa Clara, soaking in Super Bowl week, after winning his biggest battle as prostate cancer experts say his perseverance will help save lives.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
The agency is at the forefront of Israel’s battle against Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Six skiers were rescued after sheltering in place for hours as crews battled blizzard conditions.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Multiple engine and ladder companies worked in brutal temperatures to battle the fire.
—Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for battle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for battle
Noun
-
How much were you involved in choreographing the fight scenes?—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
My record is one of an effective lawmaker who never backs down from a fight.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some people taking part in recent walkouts and demonstrations have encountered police skirmish lines, arrests.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
-
As the hearings continued, Welch and Cohn engaged in heated legal skirmishes.—
Kristen Monroe,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Wildlife agencies have long used remote cameras to gather evidence in the forests and fields.—
Bryan Hendricks,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The road team has been more efficient at 13-for-30 (43%) from the field but turnovers in the halfcourt have given Vanderbilt (12-for-34 shooting, 35%) an advantage.—
American Statesman staff,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While Finland and Sweden may not have enjoyed quite the same level of Olympic success in women’s hockey as the US and Canada, the rivalry between the two Nordic countries is nonetheless a fiery one.—
Hannah Ryan,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The epic race between Stolz and de Boo is the latest in their budding rivalry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then a week later, Heraskevych received a wave of sympathetic support when he was forced out of the skeleton for refusing to compete without a helmet adorned with more than 20 elite Ukrainian athletes and coaches who have been killed in the war.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Nearly 2,900 athletes from more than 90 national Olympic committees are competing at the Winter Games across 116 medal events across eight sports.—
Lee Ying Shan,Sydney Goh,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the measure is expected to face major pushback in the Senate.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The secretary has faced pressure from Democrats and Republicans after Renee Good and Alex Pretti were shot dead during an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a politicized national fight over waste, fraud and abuse led by Republicans have targeted California and its Democratic leadership, Bonta and other state officials have moved swiftly to combat the claims.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Officials have vowed to combat any similar US military action against Cuba.—
Bianna Golodryga,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hunters and non-hunters alike are opposing a mule deer eradication plan on Catalina Island that was recently approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Santa Clara, California — Mike Vrabel made his nnname in the NFL as a crunching outside linebacker, delivering punishment to opposing offenses and blowing up their plays on his way to winning multiple Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Battle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/battle. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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